A new ILO–AICS partnership will improve construction-sector skills and certification in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and support economic and social empowerment for women and young people in eco-tourism.

PESHAWAR, (TW News) – Efforts to strengthen climate-resilient recovery and expand employment opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took an important step forward today as stakeholders agreed on a coordinated plan to equip women, men and youth with skills for sustainable construction and eco-tourism. The event outlined practical steps for curriculum reform, market-driven training and enterprise development to support vulnerable communities still recovering from the 2022 floods.

The occasion marked the launch of the programme “Just Transitions for Men, Women and Youth through Skills Training and Jobs Creation in Sustainable Construction and Eco-Tourism” — a joint initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Italian Government, provincial and federal partners.

Supported through a €2 million contribution from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the programme aims to create new decent livelihood opportunities in sectors with strong potential for green recovery and economic growth. The event was attended by senior representatives from the federal and provincial governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society and development partners.

Geir Tonstol, ILO Country Director for Pakistan, emphasized that “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has immense potential, but climate shocks have shown how urgently we must invest in green and resilient livelihoods. This new programme equips workers with the skills they need for sustainable construction and empowers new entrepreneurs in eco-tourism — ensuring just transition to a greener economy hinging on human capital development, inclusive economic outcomes and decent work.”

The programme aims to create employment pathways in two critical sectors that hold potential for decent jobs, inclusive development and local economic resilience and recovery. This comes at a time when the Pakistan Labour Force Survey 2024–25 reports a 9.6% unemployment rate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with around 40% of young people not in education, employment or training. The programme will support sustainable construction to meet rebuilding needs and promote eco-tourism to make better use of the province’s natural assets.

Francesco Zatta, Head of Office, AICS, said, “In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the link between climate adaptation, construction and tourism is especially clear. Through targeted skills training in these areas, we are helping communities build stronger livelihoods despite recurring environmental challenges.”

Sadia Haider, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, noted that “the programme aligns with provincial recovery priorities as this collaboration strengthens our efforts to build back better, creating opportunities that support both immediate reconstruction and long-term economic growth. This is aligned with the Pakistan’s commitment to the Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.”

Capt. (Rtd.) Mian Adil Iqbal, Secretary Labour, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa added that “the provincial government welcomes this support for our construction and tourism sectors. Through interventions aimed at improving quality of jobs and formalisation of the supply chain workers in these sectors through recognition of prior learning and certification, we can bring workers under the ambit of labour and social protection.”

Employers’ representatives praised the initiative and highlighted the need for skills training that matches industry needs, noting that close coordination with businesses will improve job outcomes. Workers’ representatives welcomed the creation of much-needed jobs but stressed that these opportunities must be decent and fully aligned with labour standards and national laws.

The event also included group discussions on implementation strategies, coordination among partners and identifying initial target districts. Participants agreed on a roadmap to begin project rollout, with a focus on achieving measurable results in flood-affected communities.